Advice on single shot rifle for side matches.

[Lightning Lee]

I want to pick up a single shot rifle for use in side matches out to 300 yards max. I am looking at a real nice Browning 1885 in 45-70 with a 28" bbl. and a Winchester 1885 short Hunter in 38-55, 45-70 or 405 Win. with a 22" bbl. I would have to add proper sights to the Browning but the Winchester comes with them. They both would need professional trigger work. I believe they are both the same mechanically and the main difference is cosmetics and bbl. length. The price is simmilar. Would these be good guns for the side matches? What about the bbl. length and cal.? Since I have a bad right shoulder I sort of like the idea of the milder 38-55. I know nothing about the 405 win.. I don't even know if it would be legal. Is there another gun that might be better than one of these for my purpose?

Thanks,
Lee

[Kent Shootwell]

The Browning 1885 in 45/70 would be my first choice of the two. The 405 is a kicker and would be last on the list. 38/55 cartridge is a good one for your needs but I'd prefer a longer barrel for the sight radius. 45/70 needn't be loaded heavy if the rifle will shoot well enough to 300 yards for your side match. A marlin in 38/55 if it has ballard rifling may be suitable with a tang sight and globe front, the one I had wasn't all that accurate for me but I get awful picky on rifle shooting.

[Lightning Lee]

Thanks Kent.

[Shotgun Franklin]

My right shoulder has been rebuilt. They took the padding off the front. .45-70 was very uncomfortable. .38-55 is really easy to shoot and load. I'm not a target shooter but I can call my shots on a Jack Rabbit out past 100 yards so I'd guess it'd do for you.

[Ranch 13]

 I would lean to the traditional hunter 405. I shoot a winchester 95 in 405 quite a bit, and can tell you that with a good cast bullet and suitable charge of 5744 it will shoot very well to 300 yds and beyond with ballistics similar to the old 40-70 sharps straight. You can also get into a heavier paper patched bullet and equip that rifle with a good soule sight and globe front and be in the thick of things at a longrange buffalo match type event to 1000 yds.
The triggers on these Miroku built 85's are adjustable and work well for target work. My wife shoots one of the limited bpcr editions in 45-70, and we both use the lowall 22 in the 22 longrange events.